Day 18

I had a very good swim work out today. I did not want to get out of the pool. I was in the water for 35 mins today doing drills and laps. I was so proud of myself as I was able to swim off my back while floating, and just kicking. The following is what consisted my workout for today.

•  Did laps(25m/length) of swimming off my back. I need to master this technique  especially for endurance swimming. If and when I need to rest for a bit in the middle of the open water, being able to float off my back is important.
• Did a few laps as well off my back with one hand extended out.
• Did some fish swim drills.
• Did some catch drills.
• Did a few laps applying what I was practicing, and was able to swim without feeling fatigued. I could have kept going but I knew I still had to bike and run.

Biked for 30 mins on a very fast pace. Ran for 2.6 miles today for 23 mins. It's go time...

I wanna be in the top ten. I gotta push myself harder. 

Day 17

Did some strength/circuit training yesterday. Since my card has improved from training, rest periods have gotten shorter. I can recover faster than before each and every set. I added 10 more lbs to my power cleans which got the weight up to 155lbs. And i was able to do it for 2 reps. For those who do not know what power cleans are, check out the video below:

I have also managed to increase my poundage on the squat rack. I was able to do
 225 lbs for 2 reps as well. Gotta get my glutes and thighs ready lol. Dead lifts got up to 20b lbs for about 6 reps. 

Just to sum up my work out:
-Power clean (4 sets pyramiding my way up to155lbs/2reps)
-Squats (4 sets pyramiding my way up to 225lbs/2)
-Wide pull ups (2 sets x 10 and 6 reps)
-Pull downs (2 sets 145 lbs/8reps)
-Bench press (4 sets pyramiding to 185/3reps)
-Standing Military presses (4 sets pyramiding to 135lbs/6 reps on a smith machine)
-Cork screw (4 sets w 25lb weight/6 reps each side)

Day 16

Today I swam with excitement as I was able to do total immersion. Although it wAsn't perfect, I atleast sort of have a grasp of how it's done. I had to order the actual DVD for itbecause I know that I am lacking alot of cOmponents. I can't wait to swim again this Sunday with Grace if she could.

Running was a bit challenging. I tried to run faster an I ended up breaking 2 miles in about 18.15 mins an 2.5 in about 23.35
Mins.

Cycling was a breeze for 30 mind. I really am anxious to run and bike outside as I know it's totally gonna be different.

Arrite weight training tomorrow... I can't wait!

Day 15

So today wasn't such a good one. But not because I had a bad workout but shit that happened outside of the gym. First I wake up early just to dig my car out only to find out the gym in North  Brunswick was closed. So I went to P-way instead and got my workout done. I left and got stock in a parking lot on a mound of snow.

Stuck here for one hour.... Blargh!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, I still am practicing total immersion and I can honestly say that it's a very good technique. It's because you use less effort kicking, and stroking (pause). Not once did I feel like I was about to cramp while doing this technique... So I just had to buy the DVD, because watching clips just isn't cutting it.In the beginning, I would count the mins. to see if swimming time is up. Now, I actually wanna stay longer in the pool, but I know that I have to condition myself  a certain way to succeed in this event.

Cycled for 20 mins, and then ran and  broke 2 miles today in 18.3 mins. and did it through 2.5 miles in 23 mins.

Day 14

So I tried this... And it was awesome... It"s like kayaking underneath. Never been so excited to practice since today.

Biked for 30 mins at a fairly fast speed while listening to Bob Marley... Calms and relaxes the mind as my body is working at full throttle.

Bob Marley all day... I was able to break 2 miles in 18.4 mins... Did 2.5 miles in just under 23 mins.

Im so focused!

Day 13

Nothing different. Same as day 12 except I increased my distance with running to 2.3 miles and finished up in 21 mins. I'm starting to like swimming alot which means whenever I think about it, I do it in a excited to go swim way and not stressing about it.

Back to crash diet Tuesday 'till Saturday night...

Day 12

I hate stinky ass mother fuckers in the gym. I mean do y'all bitch fucks shower? FUCK YOU!

Ok sorry about that. I just had to let it out somehow. Pls. if you know you will be doing an activity where you will be sweating, pls make sure that you slather on 10 lbs of secret powder scent deodorant. Because working out next to someone that smells like a dirty foot mixed with armpit sweat, garlic, onions and oily scalp is like being beaten on your face  with  a sledge hammer.

Anyway lol... Did strength training today and although I'm slimming down and diets been the same, I've gotten stronger. I warmed up with a 6.7 speed run for 7 mins which what  usually would of had me out of breath, felt like a walk from the bed to the bathroom. I dont wanna soop my head up but I must say my cardio got cute. I did the usual power cleans, squats, dead lifts, etc.

I dont usually like doing this but here are some progress body pics. Okay Grace you happy now? not much of a difference but I can see a bit lol...

Jan. 6, 2011

Jan. 21, 2011

Day 11

Seen a bit of  improvement with the swimming part. I also feel a bit more comfortable with breathing and staying relaxed in the water. But I still have to focus on being relaxed in the water rather than rushing which could lead to panicking. I have been doing lengths without stopping in the middle and although its only for a couple of lengths with a bit of rest in between 2 lengths, I still feel like I have improved.\

Biked for 25 mins again on a pretty fast and steady speed while changing the resistance. I have to bring my bike to the bike shop so they could adjust my seat to my needs. If anyone has lean bars I could barrow just holla at me hehe

Ran for 2.2 miles and  still did it a little under 20... Still did 2 miles in 18.5 mins

Im thinking whether or not I should go to the gym tomorrow or rest. Usually I should be resting for one day after 2 days straight of training, but I feel too good to not train. I'm pretty sure when I wake up in the morning that I would rather feel like resting anyway... We shall see...

My Fundraising Page

My Fundraising Page

DAY 10

Whoop whoop.. Did 2 miles today in 18.5 mins... 2.2 in just under 20... sweet!

Swimming just got better. I'm able to do 1 length (25m) and rest for less than 10 secs  then do another one. Pretty good compared to my first day in the pool where I would stop about 3 times in the middle. I'm still practicing my breathing though but hopefully I really am improving.

Cycled for 25-30 mins comfortably. I really want to ride outside. BADLY!

And then I ran for 2.2 miles in just under 20... I felt good right after... Did my AB routine of which this time around I included flutter kicks (hate them). for 15 mins straight working on my lower (hanging leg raises) and full sit ups. Some side bends and hanging leg raises for the obliques...

Day 9 + Leisure swim with Mrs. Crobopple...

Sooooo I did strength training yesterday which consisted of power cleans, walking lunges, shoulder presses, bench presses, pull ups, and dead lifts. Surprisingly with my workouts regimen being totally changed pretty much to all cardio, my strength have stayed the same if not have gone up. My legs are still burning though from Fridays training, but all of this burning feeling goes away once you get to working.

Today I went with Grace to the gym for a swim. I had her watch me swim while helping me fix my mistakes. Watching her swim makes swimming look so easy. After all she was a Jr lifeguard =) 

I started watching videos about Total Immersion. This technique focuses more on how to use less effort with each stroke while gaining more distance. This is especially made for long distance/endurance swimming.

Here is a clip of how it's done... 

 

Fri(DAY 8) night

My wife and her sister both said that I should post pics with my blogs. Honestly I hate and don't like carrying my phone around the gym, let alone taking pics..

I'm exhausted... Swimming was a bit fast paced today. Did laps as much as I could for 25 mins. I still would rest for a few seconds each lap but at some points I was able to do 2 laps with a 2 sec. pause to turn.

Biking had me sweating so much. Same deal 25 mins but I increased the resistance a bit.

Ran for 2 miles and did it with in just under 20 mins. Elevations always kept to 1 as this gives me the feel of running on my own and not with the treadmill. Speed was started at 5 then worked my way up to 6.5...

And now my thighs are burning... I can already feel the soreness before it even starts.

 Soooooo... As I started my ab routine, I got around to this ab excercise where I would have to be on my knees while holding this tricep rope attachment. I started crunching (bowing motion) while I hold the rope behind my neck. I started noticing how water started coming out of my nose... It felt as if my nose was bleeding heavily but its all trapped water from the pool... looked gross but it was just water lol

Ok goodnight... NETS all the way

Just something

Bought myself new goggles since the one I've been using is all shitty and water gets all in it. Bought ear plugs and nose clips as well.... Target got that clearance going on btw...

Oh yeah I've been setting up my alarm clock about 8 mins earlier every week...Evemthough I still snooze it like 3x, it's still earlier than the time before the adjustment... Just in case you're wondering, my alarm is now set to 9:28am. I don't leave the house till about 10:20(lol damn snooze button) and then head to the gym and get there by 10:30am. I start my workout @ 10:40 until 12:20pm... So yeah I need to stop snoozing LoL...

k good night!

DAY 7

A bit tired jumping in to the pool today. Water wasn't warm enough. maybe because they turn the water heater off around 12. Drills stayed the same and have incorporated the tilting my lower jaw and lip to the right side (ala rocky screaming "ADRIANE") as I gasp for air. I try my best to have a mental coach that's pushing me hard to finish. This sometimes helps especially when I think about how sometimes people tend to give up sooner than their body could.

Keep this mentality in mind that when you're training for an event, your mind tends to give up alot sooner than your body. PUSH, PUSH, PUSH!!!!

Cycling probably will be my strong point although outdoor cycling feels so much different than indoors. I try to keep a steady speed and just imagining my summer rides with my peeps lol. That usually makes indoor cycling fun.

Running has been better as I have started doing 2 miles per session. This is another thing that gets boring after awhile so I try to think about different things, but usually sports center on the tube in the gym keeps me going.

On another note... Today's another snow day and luckily I'm off from work. Right after training, I went to my in-laws house and shoveled their driveway. I knew this was going to give me a good back and shoulder workout so I expect to be in pain tomorrow.

Okay bye!

DAY 6

As always every morning I felt lazy goin to the gym but I had to drag my ass up. Anyway, I tried something new today that I seen on youtube. It's a breathing drill video where I would have to submerge myself in and out of the water continuously while breathing in and out when I surface up. This way I'm exercising my lungs and actually giving it its own workout. I was almost able to do 50 meters straight without stopping, but since of course I'm just a beginner, I had to stop lol. I didn't stop the breathing drill whenever I would stop swimming though as I figured this will better up my breathing by continuously doing the drill until I had to get out of the pool 25 mins later.

Biking was fast. Did it for 20 mins. and prolly going about 22 m/hr. I just wish the spin class bikes had an odometer and a speedometer.

Running felt like a breeze. Did 2 miles in under 20. This is actually fast for me. I know I could get better and I know that I could've  gone longer if I wanted to but I wouldn't have had enough time to do my ab routine.

Oh did I say I have 112 days left to train... okay!

Anyway, I seriously think it's funny whenever I see people racking the 45lb plates only to do shrugs lol

Day 4-5

Day 4

I tried focusing on stretching my arms out above my head to glide through the water better and lessen the drag. My rhythm  and breathing timing still gets messed up but I feel like I have progressed a bit since my first time jumpin in a lap pool...

Biking and running was kept the same as the past 2 days

Day 5 (lift day)

Boy do I miss lifting... Did 4 sets of power cleans/squats/pull downs/bench press/lunges and dumbell scaption

Did heavy weights with a pyramid routine. Now I'm more sore than ever.

Day 3

Today I started focusing a lot more on breathing and swimming with a noodle as I tried to get more comfortable with breathing . So far I could swim 25m straight but stopping at the end and resting for a few sec. then swim again. Swam for 20 mins. as I watched this lady next to me swimming oh so gracefully lol. I wanted to ask her for tips but felt embarrassed.

I then started Biking straight for 20mins, and I'm estimating that I was going about 20m/hr average. I would switch the resistance to high and low as I try to mimic the road. With my legs feeling all jello, I jumped right onto the treadmill. Started off slow at speed 5 and did it for about 5 mins. For 10 mins straight I kept the speed to 6 going up to 6.4 and did 1.5 miles.

Ended my training with a 20 min core program. Tomorrow will be another day and Saturday will be focused on weight/strength training. Man I miss lifting...

Day 2

Swimming still kicking me in the butt bad... I know I shouldnt stress about it... After all Im only on my 2nd Day and that I still have 118 days left to train... One thing I noticed is that runnings been good... And cycling, loving it...

Weight trainings gonna have to take a
Back seat and would have to be done once a week...

Oh yeah... I'm beat!

DAY 1

So today I started the actual training program for the triathlon I recently decided to participate in. For all of you that do not know, I joined a Sprint Triathlon in order to raise funds to help find cure for blood cancer. A Sprint Tri consists of:
 
-  0.4miles of swimming
-  20 miles of cycling, and 
-  4 miles of running.

To some it may sound easy, but for someone like myself who was never into cardiovascular routines other than cycling is a huge challenge.

On to the training...

Swimming was not as bad as I though it would be. I focused mainly on breathing and did about  25% of the distance.Soon after I jumped right onto the treadmill and ran for about 1 mile. I then ran my way to the spin class room and hopped on a stationary bike and biked for about 5 miles.

Since I was feelin great (thanks to Optimum Nutritions Amino Energy) right after cycling, I ran again for about half a mile then did 3 Ab routines back to back for 5 minutes non-stop.

I actually feel energized as we speak. I was expecting to be very exhausted, but I feel good.

As days go by, I will be increasing my distance and speed eventually.

note to self:
Not only do I need to train for the Tri but also changing from my swim wear to my gym clothes... Not a good look lol.

My Fundraising Page

It's go time

With 2010 behind us, let 2011 be "THE YEAR" to whatever it is we want to accomplish in life.

RESOLUTIONS:

-Keep the complaining about anything from a minimum to almost none.
-Patience (I've been lacking this for a very long time now)
-Not going to let unnecessary stress bother me
-Going to have that "It's all good/Don't worry about it" mentality


With all of that said, my 2011 quote for the year will be "JUST DO IT"

On another note, this blog was meant for blogging my training so im blogging my first day today.

DAY 1 starts...